Question

1. One can increases their anaerobic threshold through aerobic endurance training. If aerobic athletes add strength training to their training routine, is this effective for increasing the anaerobic threshold?

Answer 1

Anaerobic threshold is the point during exercise where the lactic acid starts to accumulate in muscles and hence it is a point where body switches its mechanism from aerobic to anaerobic. While aerobic metabolism is being used, body is able to use the energy from breakdown of carbohydrates and fat in presence of oxygen. As the aerobic metabolism proceeds, it produces water in form of sweat and increase release of C02. Strength training is an anaerobic activity in which the intensity of exercise increases which aims at production of muscle and increase strength and in this the body starts burning sugar in absence of oxygen and leads to production of lactate. In case of aerobic athletes, with help of strength training they can increase their anaerobic threshold because the endurance and strength of the body increases. Since the strength training exercise is high intensity exercise, with its regular performance, it improves the ability of the body to handle production of lactic acid and increase the threshold. Hence, the athlete is able to tolerate exercise for longer duration.